Common Ground News Service

Cairo’s Latte Drinking Salafis: Stereotype Busters

Cairo’s Latte Drinking Salafis: Stereotype Busters

NADA ZOHDY, CGNEWS: You’ll find them at Costa or Starbucks. They’re happy to discuss rather than denounce and they’re seeking ways to build Egypt’s civil society.

 Rob L. Wagner

The Laws to ‘Hit Hate’ Are There. Enforcement Please.

The Laws to ‘Hit Hate’ Are There. Enforcement Please.

ROB L. WAGNER: In France they have laws to deal with hate speech but they’re applied inconsistently. In many ways France is a good example to other countries

 Common Ground News Service

So What Is the Future of Political Blogging in Egypt?

So What Is the Future of Political Blogging in Egypt?

NADINE EL SAYED: The names of once marginalised voices have entered the mainstream in Egyptian political discourse. But do they have a long term future?

 Common Ground News Service

Auschwitz Visit: An Anti-Palestine Media Agenda?

Auschwitz Visit: An Anti-Palestine Media Agenda?

NATALIA SIMANOVSKY: The visit by a Palestinian official was not deemed suitable to receive strong coverage only its condemnation by Hamas

 Ramzy Baroud

The Predicament of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

The Predicament of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

RAMZY BAROUD: 450,000 UN-registered refugees live in Lebanon. They subsist in poverty, living in 12 concentration style camps, denied basic rights and lack nominal political horizons.

 The View From Fez

Furore Over New Moroccan Media Rules

Furore Over New Moroccan Media Rules

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: An attempt by Islamists to mould the Moroccan media in its own image?

 Common Ground News Service

No ‘Sharia’ in Tunisia: Is It a ‘Game Changer’?

No ‘Sharia’ in Tunisia: Is It a ‘Game Changer’?

SONIA BAHI, CGNEWS: It was a bold move which has divided opinion in the country. But has it set the example for other ‘Arab Spring’ countries?

 Naseem Tarawnah

Pot, Kettle, Black: Jordanian MPs Call Out Media

Pot, Kettle, Black: Jordanian MPs Call Out Media

NASEEM TARAWNAH: When I saw the accusations I felt like my head was imploding.

 Common Ground News Service

Free Speech: All You Need is Mic & Laptop

Free Speech: All You Need is Mic & Laptop

CGNEWS: Three young Libyans have used their new found freedom to set up a radio station to discuss issues formerly off-limits.

 Tabsir

Red Bull Ad: A ‘Mote’ or a ‘Beam’ In the Eye?

Red Bull Ad: A ‘Mote’ or a ‘Beam’ In the Eye?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: A recently published ad seems to have united both Muslims and Christians in condemnation.

 Rachel McArthur

Fadel: Genuine or ‘Bandwagon Jumper’?

Fadel: Genuine or ‘Bandwagon Jumper’?

RACHEL MC ARTHUR: He’s been getting a lot of attention but what’s really behind his criticism of Basher al Assad?

 Common Ground News Service

Coalition Government: Way Forward for Egypt

Coalition Government: Way Forward for Egypt

MUSTAFA ABDELHALIM, CGNEWS: It works in many European countries and in Turkey. Why not in Egypt?

 Ramzy Baroud

Controlling Syria’s Future: In Whose Hands?

Controlling Syria’s Future: In Whose Hands?

RAMZY BAROUD: The lines are thus drawn, between US-led Western camp and Russia and its own camp, which vehemently rejects a repeat of a Libyan scenario.

 Common Ground News Service

Saudi Women: The Power & Limitation of Social Media

Saudi Women: The Power & Limitation of Social Media

MAHA AKEEL, CGNEWS: It’s clearly enabled women in the Middle East in particular to express their views more vocally but there are limits to what social media can achieve in effecting real change.

 Common Ground News Service

What Shape Should “the New Libya” Take?

What Shape Should “the New Libya” Take?

DR GHASSAN MICHEL RUBEIZ: It’s understandable that there will be significant differences in how various parties see Libya’s future. There are, though, important areas where agreement is needed

 Ramzy Baroud

Forget the Bombs, Africa Needs Food. Now.

Forget the Bombs, Africa Needs Food. Now.

RAMZY BAROUD: Maybe it’s time to save a few bombing runs on Libya and donate the proceeds to the humanitarian catastrophe that’s unfolding in the Horn of Africa?

 Matt J. Duffy

New Convention ‘A Major Boost’ for UAE Workers

New Convention ‘A Major Boost’ for UAE Workers

MATT J. DUFFY: The mistreatment of domestic staff in the UAE has long been a major concern inside and outside the country. Thankfully the issue appears to be rising up the political agenda.

 Sarah Grebowski

It’s Time to Debunk the Many Myths of the Egyptian Revolution

It’s Time to Debunk the Many Myths of the Egyptian Revolution

SARAH GREBOWSKI: A spontaneous, youth-led uprising that brought instant democracy via Facebook and Twitter? I’m afraid not.

 Common Ground News Service

New Media Law A Major Step Forward for Iraq

New Media Law A Major Step Forward for Iraq

AHMED FAHAD, CGNEWS: While most focus with Iraq has been on the political upheaval, a law protecting the media represents a major step forward.

 Saad Al Dosari

A PR Coup: The Woman & the Jeddah Projects

A PR Coup: The Woman & the Jeddah Projects

SAAD AL DOSARI: The decision of asking her to be part of the inauguration is clever because it gives the project a human face. She is the voice of Jeddawies.